“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; For the wrath of a man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20 from the King James Version of the Holy Bible”) Ever hear the expression, “Think before you speak”? Just a…
“All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence. (Job 1:12, NLT) Job was a blameless man who feared God. If anyone was undeserving of punishment it would have…
“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zephaniah 3:17, NLT) Many of us have a fear of being…
When the disciples crossed over to the other side of the lake, they forgot to take any bread. Jesus said to them, “Take care; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They started discussing among themselves, “He says this because we didn’t bring any bread.” (Matthew 16:5-7, GNT) I once […]
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39, Holy Bible, New King James) A multitude listened to Jesus as he sat in a boat teaching near the seaside. When evening came,…
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12, Holy Bible, New King James Version)
Transgression is synonymous with disobedience, misbehavior, wrongdoings, offenses, and indiscretions. Most of us try to forget unpleasant events that hint at transgressions. The Psalmist could have measured the distance to the sun or the moon, but seeing them would remind us of our sins. Instead, he speaks symbolically with the greatest distance he can imagine, from east to west, so far that our past sins are invisible.
Apostle Paul makes an even stronger statement of how God, the great forgiver, sees our past.
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12, NKJV)
Now that’s complete forgiveness.
Prayer: Lord, when I remember my transgressions before Your forgiveness, I rejoice that You do not. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3, Holy Bible, New King James Version)
The human body has a natural healing process. Cut your finger and within days, new skin forms to seal the open wound. Deeper cuts may need stitches but still heal within a few weeks. Break a bone and the knitting process initializes to seal the gap and regrow the bone. Severe breaks or shattered bone may need surgery, but even then, the natural process is at work to strengthen the bones.
Healing a broken heart, unlike physical wounds, can be a slow and painful journey with the absence of specific healing properties to rush to the injured area. No ointment can soothe the pain. Counselors can help, but emotional well-being needs a touch from the Great Healer.
The Voice translation says “He… heals the sorrows of their hearts.” When the wound is too deep, God is there for you.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for emotional healing. Your touch has healed the sorrows of my heart. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. (Acts 3:4-6, Holy Bible, New King James)
A lame man lay near the temple gate asked those going inside for charity. When Peter and John saw him, Peter said, “Look at us,” and drew the beggar’s attention their way. How disappointing it must have been when Peter said he had no silver or gold. Then Peter offered the beggar something greater than money.
“And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.” (v 7-8).
When money can’t cure the problem, prayer and a helping hand are a miraculous combination.
Prayer: Thank You Lord for this bold example of Peter’s faith that brought a miraculous recovery to a destitute man. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples. (Matthew 26:35, Holy Bible, New King James)
Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him three times before the next sunrise. Peter assured Jesus he wouldn’t betray Him. Peter defended Jesus with a sword in Gethsemane. After Jesus was captured, Peter followed Jesus to the court of the high priest when the other disciples abandoned Jesus.
Peter warmed himself by a community fire as he kept watch outside. One by one, three maidens accused Peter of being a disciple of Jesus. “Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” (v. 74).
When the rooster crowed, that sound of approaching daybreak brought reality. Peter wept because of his failure. But his failure isn’t the end of Peter. A few days later, he is the brave keynote speaker at the Feast of Pentecost where thousands were baptized and converted to Christianity.
Prayer: Lord, You are a compassionate God. You forgive my mistakes and concentrate on my strengths to mold me into a strong disciple. Thank you for second chances. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore